A blog about the Dodgers and Baseball. My thoughts on everything that has to do with the old game, autographs, baseball cards, bobbleheads, contests, upcoming appearances, books, etc. Enjoy the pictures, videos, opinions and contests.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Photo Day @ Dodger Stadium

April 18, 2009
11:00 am / 11:50 am

It was a hot day ! Today at Dodger Stadium was Photo Day. Before the game, fans were invited to go into the field and take pictures of the Dodgers.

I told my Wife "I'm not taking any stuff to get signed. Just take pictures and only with those that I haven't taken a pix."

Years before, I would usually take a couple of magazines or balls in case anyone signs autographs. Most of the time, I would get nothing signed so I decided to just take pictures.

Well guess what ? I saw many players signing autographs ! lol

That's life.

It's ok.

A couple of pictures before the event started:

This guy (Cleveland Indians fan) was interviewed by Fox. You might see him in tonight's news. The show starts...
Hong-Chih KuoBrad Ausmus (Read this) Don't read this if you're a big fan of Ethier. (I'm serious! lol)

I believe it was after Ausmus that a fan (His name is Gilbert) came by my side. He had a kid with him. We started talking and he told me "I was in the other side and Ethier didn't want to pose with my kid" "He kept saying I don't do facebook or myspace, so no pictures"

Like I posted before, (read this and this) I get many e-mails from fans telling me that Ethier is a jerk. I didn't believe it because I've never had a problem with him before. But it's just weird that I get so many e-mails asking why Ethier is a jerk. To be honest, I can't answer that question because I've never had any problems. My brother went to Arizona last month and he told me the same thing that Gilbert said. He kept saying "No myspace or facebook pictures"

I don't know exactly what Ethier means.

Well I noticed that Ethier was coming towards our side. I was wondering if Gilbert was going to tell him anything again. Just to witness this myself. Guess what ? Gilbert confronted him. He told him "Hey Andre, why no pictures ?" Then I heard some kids in the back saying "Why are you here then ?" Then Ethier said what others have told me before "I don't do pictures, no myspace pictures" I don't know what he means by that. He just doesn't want all these people posting his pictures on myspace ? I have no idea. I was mad at myself because I had the camcorder with me and I didn't record this. A funny moment did occur. I don't know who it was but someone yelled at him "Then take a shower!"

But it's true people ! Ethier was a jerk today and from the e-mails that I get from you, I guess it's been a while since he has done this.

It didn't hurt me since I've met the guy before and to be honest, one of the nicest guys I have met. It was just very weird to see kids screaming at him "Andre ! Picture !" and he just kept saying "I don't do pictures" He's lying because he has taken pictures with fans before. I don't know what the problem is....On to the next !Guillermo Mota ! This dude is funny. He was just walking around and I noticed he wasn't coming towards us. I'm half Cuban and I have noticed that Dominicans and Cubans use some of the same spanish slang. I screamed at Mota "Coño Papi ven aca!" lol He came and said "Coño ! eeehhh aqui toy Coño!" lol That was funny !! So that's the tip of the day ! Whenever you want their attention, just scream those words. Just don't ask me what it means :)

Another funny dude. Will Ohman. I told him "Hey great Harry Caray impersonation!" and he said "I'm doing it again this year!" lol I can't wait Will. Click here to watch his Harry Caray impersonation.
Up next....the man that everyone wanted to meet. Manny Ramirez. Man-Ram was talking to everyone. Posing pictures. Grabbing babies. Smiling. Everything. I got lucky. I came very close of not meeting him. Check out this video that I shot. It's 5 minutes. Sorry for the length. I started shooting basically when Man-Ram came to my side. Here's a little timeline while you're watching the video...

10 Seconds: You can see El Gordo!
20 Seconds: Answering my cell phone. Mom wondering if I was going to eat lunch with her later lol
1:02: Ronald Belisario just walked by. I didn't even notice because I was watching Man-Ram lol
1:30: Gilbert still mad at Ethier. He says "This is what a baseball player is supposed to look like"
2:03 Jonathan Broxton is mad because nobody is paying attention to him (well except this fan)
3:03 Someone hit me...It was chaos.
3:39 Telling my Wife "Ready babe?" lol
3:40 Camera going down...
4:00 Pimping my blog to Gilbert lol
4:15 Manny screaming at Mota
4:22 Man-Ram runs away. Fans that were on my section were shocked...I felt bad for those that didn't get a pix.

Couple of bruises and people stepping on my shoes, but it was fun lolJoe Torre was next! He seemed shy.O-Dog didn't stop. Just ran !Juan Castro. I asked him if he was playing Winter Ball in Mexico after the season and he said he wasn't sure.
Eric StultsJuan Pierre was cool. He stopped for those that asked for a picture. I even saw him sign autographs.This is not Man-Ram. It's Ohman wearing a wig. I shot this from the big screen.Other stuff that I didn't get to....I did notice that Russell Martin was very nice. He was signing autographs to anyone that asked. Stopped for pictures. He was walking very slow. So I'm sure many fans didn't get to meet him. I don't know why but my Wife's favorite pitcher is James McDonald and he stopped for a pix. I think that's about it...

Across me, I saw a reader of the blog. Linda! Sorry, didn't get to say hi.

I didn't stay for the game...

I'm out, peace !

Oh one more thing.

Viva Los Doyers cabrones ! :)Oh oh oh one more thing ! lol

Last thing, I promise.

Matt Luke was signing autographs at the "Autograph Alley" !! Can you believe it ? Matt freaking Luke !! Wow :) Are you buying a house anytime soon ? Contact Matt !

Tell him Roberto sent you and he will give you a 10 % off any closing fees !

So I'm REALLY sad that Andre didn't take pictures with anyone because if you actually get to meet him one on one he really is soooo sweet! I don't understand why he was there either if he wasn't taking pics but I did get to grab his hand. But I think it would have been worse if he didn't go at all. And I really wanted to cry too when he didn't take pics too. And thinking about it makes me want to cry!!! OMG I am soo sad right now. :/ Cause I KNOW he is a great person.

And then he had to do this in front of all these people. And now I get to defend him. And I have no problem with that but it just makes that people who were meeting him for the first time will have this memory stuck with them forever.

Nice video of Manny Ramirez. Must of been cool meeting him. Hey what the hell was a Indians fan there ? I lived in Chicago a couple years ago for college and went to many Cubs games and Will Ohman is a clown. He's a great guy. He used to pitch for the cubbies. Nice job Roberto

I have told you before about "Andre I don't sign photos Ethier" We have the player meet and great next month in Albuquerque. Great Pics. I wish I was out there. Have you heard about the Louie Tiant (El Tiante). I heard him on the radio Friday. The film sounds cool.

Hey Roberto! I thought I saw you there, though I wasn't sure. I saw the angle of one of your photos and blew it up ... I saw my friend (who was standing right next to me) but the Dodger lady was blocking me. Actually, I saw myself in the background of another photo (the one where Lissette is studying). Yeah, I saw El Gordo and remembered your run in with him at Canter's.

And about Andre... The not taking pictures thing must be recent because he took photos last year. A friend told me what she heard the reason why he stopped, and it stinks for the rest of us fans. Too bad it applies to all fans now. I don't see why he won't take photos with kids at least. But he wasn't the only one who wouldn't stop for photos. Just the only one vocal about it.

Re: Ethier, I've had a lot of good interactions with him, though think there must have been something someone did to make him stop taking pics. I mean, it's photo day after all!

The big test is what will go down on his Carne Asada Sunday on May 3. That whole event is about taking pictures with fans. Whoever goes to that needs to ask him about his new "no photo" policy and post a recap.

ahhh! I'll be sure to ask Andre when I go to Carne Asada Sunday although I hope he doesn't get mad and doesn't take a picture with me! Hahah! And I'm even thinking about writing him a letter because I was really upset. The last picture I got with him was in November. I don't see how things could have changed so quickly. :/

-oh so you don't need to purchase a ticket to go on the field for photo day, great to know for next year photo day. -Your wife bringing homework into the stadium reminds me of the movie fever pitch, with drew barrymore bringing her work to the stadium. Better keep an eye on those flying balls. -Nice shot of manny chewing gum...it looks like you caught him off guard.